How Playing Keeps Your Cat Healthy

Kitties are very playful, which is always adorable to watch. Fluffy’s silly antics definitely bring a lot of joy into our lives! Actually, all those pounces and kick-scratches are very good for your feline friend! A Burlington, ON vet lists some reasons why in this article.

Kitty Workout

Just like any other animal, cats need exercise to stay healthy. Playing is definitely Fluffy’s favorite workout. Even a few minutes of running and jumping can help keep your feline pal fit. This becomes especially important as kitties grow older.

Mental Stimulation

Your furry little buddy has to really concentrate in order to nail those tricky jump/roll/meow combinations. In the wild, that timing would determine whether or not Fluffy is getting dinner that night. Your pet may not have to work for her dinner, but the mental stimulation is still beneficial. Think of it as a kitty version of doing a crossword puzzle … or solving a math problem.

Ease Anxiety

Cats are very emotional little furballs, and they can be affected by things like stress and anxiety, just like people can. Playing is a wonderful way for Fluffy to work off anything that is bothering her. After a vigorous workout, your nervous pet will be a bit tired, which will naturally calm her down.

Build Confidence

Do you have a scaredy-cat on your hands? Playing may help bring Fluffy out of her shell, just like scoring a goal or winning a contest can boost a shy child’s self-esteem.

Bonding

Playing with your feline buddy will also help strengthen the relationship between you. When you take time to hold a laser pointer for Fluffy to chase, or dangle a fuzzy feather toy for her to bat at, she’ll realize that you’re doing something for her sake. That will definitely score you some points with your cute pet!

Making Friends

Another benefit of playing is that it can help cats make friends with each other. If you’ve recently brought a new feline pal into your household, try having joint play sessions. Just make sure to pay equal attention to both furballs. Otherwise, they’ll just get jealous of one another, which may very well make matters worse instead of improving them.

As your local Burlington, ON veterinary clinic, we’re here to help! Please reach out with any questions or concerns about your kitty’s health or care.